Agility
Agility is a sport involving different obstacles to be completed in a specific pattern or course by the dog with speed and accuracy. It is the job of the handler to direct the dog efficiently throughout. Not only is it a lot of fun but it can improve confidence in the dog and a build the relationship between dog and handler.
Agility is open to all breeds and mixes as long as they are of sound body and mind. The Agility Association of Canada is the largest organization for the sport in this country.
I started competing in agility in 1999 with my dog Chase. He had many fear issues as a puppy and I do believe that agility helped him to become a much more trusting and confident dog. Chase was never a really driven dog in the sport so he did teach me a lot about finding what motivates individual dogs and using that to train. With us both being involved in a bad car accident in 2004, Chase was retired from the sport.
When I got Zephyr I had no idea how different he would be as an agility partner. Not only does he have the motivation but the speed! My biggest challenge has been getting where I need to be fast enough to direct him properly! We have competed at the National level both years that we tried to qualify and had placements in individual classes including a 1st in the standard round. We placed 3rd in the Canada Cup, as well as a 2nd in the Sasha's blend Steeplechase Finals!
I look forward to sharing my love of the sport and my experience with training different dogs with the agility lessons I will be teaching during the months of May-October outdoors in Carlisle and through the winter at Scholars in Collars in Burlington.
Erin Crossman Phone# 289-895-9439